A new membership scheme has been launched for the Big Apple, the annual spring and autumn celebration of apple culture in the Marcle Ridge, near Ledbury.

This means that the organisation is now being run as a community benefit scheme, called The Big Apple Association Ltd, and a £1 share will allow a member one vote when it comes to deciding the way to go in the future.

Otherwise it is very much apple-inspired business as usual.

Big Apple secretary, Jackie Denman said: “The Big Apple has been celebrating apples, orchards and cider in the Marcle Ridge parishes for the past thirty years, and is well known for its Blossomtime events in and around Putley and Harvestime events in and around Much Marcle.

“A recent change in constitution, approved at a well-attended AGM in Woolhope Parish Hall, has seen the launch of a new membership scheme.”

She added: “Re-launched as a Community Benefit Society, members holding a single £1 share will own and manage the organisation on the basis of one-member-one-vote.

“In most other respects, things will seem much the same for now. The outgoing officers are the founding members and Directors of the new organisation, The Big Apple Association Ltd.

“We will be carrying on business for the benefit of the community by organising events which celebrate, promote and educate about local orchards, apples, cider and perry”.

The first member to sign up on the night was Big Apple volunteer Jake Herbst, who received his share certificate from Treasurer Mary Fielding.

But it’s open to all. Membership forms can be download from the website www.bigapple.org.uk, and include an application for one £1 share in the organisation.

Last October’s 30th anniversary celebration of The Big Apple saw nine venues open to visitors, and hundreds of tourists flocked in.

Attractions included the opportunity to visit local orchards, cider and perry tastings and talks by experts in the field.

This spring, following the change of the date of the early Bank Holiday from May 4 to May 8, the 2020 Big Apple Cider and Perry Trials will now take place on Saturday May 9. Other than the new date, arrangements are the same as last year. The public cider and perry tasting will be on Sunday May 10.